PHILADELPHIA — Two City of Philadelphia police officers are being accused of illegally searching and detaining a minor without probable cause.
X.J., a minor, by his parent and natural guardian, Yesinia Negron filed a complaint April 5 in the U.S. District Court for the Eastern District of Pennsylvania against Police Officer Keen and Police Officer Ryshek, individually and as police officers for the City of Philadelphia, alleging unreasonable search and seizure, battery and false imprisonment.
X.J., who was 11 years old at the time, was bringing his bicycle up the steps to his aunt's home on April 12, 2020, according to the plaintiff's complaint. The plaintiff claims X.J. was approached by the defendant officers who then took his backpack and searched through it without any probable cause. The plaintiff further claims the officers conducted an illegal pat down and frisked X.J. without probable cause and was then detained for 10 minutes.
The plaintiff alleges the officers had no reasonable suspicion or probable cause that X.J. was engaging in criminal or illegal activity and that the unreasonable search and seizure was a violation of his Fourth Amendment rights.
The plaintiff seeks monetary relief, trial by jury and all other just relief. She is represented by Patrick Geckle of Patrick G. Geckle LLC in Philadelphia.
U.S. District Court for the Eastern District of Pennsylvania case number 2:22-CV-01304